Coenzyme Q10 and male infertility: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q10 treatments in male infertility, specifically in these parameters: live birth and pregnancy rates, CoQ10 seminal concentration, sperm concentration, and sperm motility.

Materials and methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis in male infertility patients with CoQ10 oral treatments. Three trials were included: 149 males in CoQ10 group and 147 males in placebo group.

Results: None of the included trials provided any data regarding live births. The results of this meta-analysis show that supplementing infertile men with CoQ10 does not increase pregnancy rates. The analysis showed, among patients receiving CoQ10 treatment, a statistically significant increase in: CoQ10 seminal concentration (RR 49.55, 95 % CI 46.44 to 52.66, I(2) = 17 %), sperm concentration (RR 5.33, 95 % CI 4.18 to 6.47, I(2) = 58 %), and sperm motility (RR 4.50, 95 % CI 3.92 to 5.08, I(2) = 0 %)

Conclusion: There is no evidence in the literature that CoQ10 increases either live birth or pregnancy rates, but there is a global improvement in sperm parameters. Adequately powered, robust trials of individual and combination antioxidant therapies are required to guide clinical practice.

Fig. 1

Flowchart of the identification of eligible trials involving coenzyme Q10

Fig. 2

Effectiveness of CoQ10 treatments versus placebo